1. Girthiness and Soreness Around the Gut
Girthiness, often dismissed as annoyance with tacking up, could signify deeper issues. This sensitivity around the stomach and large colon area might indicate gut problems, such as gastric ulcers or hindgut inflammation. Watch for this sign and consider your horse's diet, a key factor in gut health.
How to Help:
- Reduce starch and sugar intake.
- Opt for more fibre in the diet.
- Supplement with Poseidon Digestive EQ or RP
2. Anxious Behavior
Stress and anxiety can stem from poor gut health. A horse's gut plays a role in producing essential vitamins and happy hormones. When imbalanced, it affects behavior negatively.
Combat this by:
- Providing gut-friendly feed.
- Minimizing stress triggers.
- Offering Stress Paste during high-stress events.
3. Difficulty Gaining Weight or Muscle
Despite ample feed, your horse might struggle to gain weight or muscle.
This could be due to hindgut issues caused by:
- Low forage diversity.
- High starch intake.
- Stress from stabling or travel.
How to Help:
- Increase fibre and forage.
- Opt for Poseidon Digestive EQ or RP for digestive support.
4. Loss of Appetite or Fussiness
Loss of appetite often points to gastric ulcers or a deficiency in Vitamin B1.
A healthy gut promotes a healthy appetite.
How to Help:
- Prioritize fibre over starch.
- Consider B vitamin supplements.
- Use Poseidon Digestive EQ or RP for gut health.
5. Scouring
Scouring, or diarrhea, signals significant gut distress. Acidic hindguts from excessive starches and sugars disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to nutrient malabsorption and scouring.
How to Help:
- Reduce starch and sugar intake.
- Increase fibre content.
- Consider Digestive EQ for gut support.
Summary:
Feeding for Great Gut Health
A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut & preventing pain in horses. Here are some tips:
- Swap starches for fibrous feeds.
- Include highly digestible fibres for extra calories.
- Supplement with fats and oils for a balanced diet.
- Use Poseidon Digestive VM for essential vitamins and minerals where needed.
Understanding your horse's behavior and addressing their dietary needs can make a world of difference in their comfort and well-being. By recognizing these warning signs and taking proactive steps, we can ensure our equine friends live pain-free, healthy lives.
Dietary Tips for a Healthy Gut
- Less Grain, More Fibre
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Fiber-Rich Alternatives:
- Choose highly digestible or super fibers for increased calorie density.
- Supplement with fats and oils, making up to 20% of the total diet.
-
Quality Supplements:
- Consider gut health supplements like Digestive RP or EQ for additional support.
- Ensure a balanced diet with vitamin and mineral supplements - Poseidon VM.
By understanding these signs and adjusting our horse's diet accordingly, we can help prevent pain, improve gut health, and ensure our equine friends lead comfortable and happy lives.
Poseidon for Happy, Healthy Horses
Stress Paste:
- Minimize stomach and hindgut disruptions during stress events.
- Supports repair, recovery, and the nervous system.
- A game-changer for maintaining gut health in challenging situations.
Digestive EQ:
- High-quality daily gut support for your horse.
- Contains prebiotics and postbiotics for a balanced gut microbiome.
- Helps prevent pain and inflammation, promoting a happy, healthy gut.
Digestive RP:
- Ideal for high performance sport horses and racehorses.
- Contains two digestive enzymes for improved nutrient absorption.
- Higher levels of prebiotics and postbiotics for optimal gut health.
Digestive VM:
- A balanced vitamin and mineral supplement for horses.
- Ensures your horse's diet is complete and supports overall health.
- Perfect for balancing fiber-based diets without compromising on nutrition.
